The otherworldly cities and creatures of Artist Edward Woltemate Jr.’s invented galaxy will soon be on display at Montgomery County Community College (MCCC).
MCCC’s Montco Cultural Center will host the exhibition “Out There: The Worlds of Edward Woltemate, Jr.” beginning Tuesday, Nov. 18, through Saturday, Dec. 20. It will feature 40 colored pencil and acrylic works depicting the imagined planets of Woltemate’s own invention.
An artist talk with Edward and his wife, Elaine Woltemate, will take place in the exhibition on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 5:00 PM, in the Montco Cultural Center Theater Gallery, Science Center, on the Blue Bell Campus, 1313 Morris Road, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to all, and parking is free.
Find the full details here.
“Edward Woltemate Jr.’s vivid imagination is on full display in this gallery,” said Patrick Rodgers, Manager of the Montco Cultural Center. “As a self-taught artist, he exemplifies the importance of exploring creation and pursuing passion no matter your background.”
Woltemate, who was born deaf, communicates via sign language and through Elaine. He attended two main schools: The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Philadelphia, and The American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Conn., where he was mentored in drawing. Through his work, he is able to take viewers on an imaginative adventure, reflecting his lifelong interest in science fiction and fantasy, depicting distant planets, UFOs, alien creatures, and environments.
“He has devised of his own imagination a galaxy of 12 planets, which he draws from different perspectives repeatedly,” said Elaine. “Several of the pieces of art have the same name, because they’ve been drawn from different perspectives.”
Considered an outsider artist, or not formally trained, Elaine said her husband’s work is admired for how it differs from a classical fine arts creator. Woltemate’s work has been shown around the world, from New York City to Seoul, South Korea. He was prominently included in Baltimore, Maryland’s prestigious American Visionary Art Museum’s Annual Show (2018), “The Great Mystery Show,” and is now in their permanent collection, as well as in numerous private collections, according to GoggleWorks Center for the Arts. Woltemate’s work is also prominently displayed in the current show at American Visionary Art Museum, “Fantastic Realities: Truth Stranger Than Fiction” through Sept. 6, 2026, said Elaine.
Early in his career, she said, her husband primarily worked in colored pencils, but more recently has switched to mainly using acrylics. He draws inspiration from numerous sources, including science fiction novels, film and TV, as well as nature documentaries.
“Anything that has to do with exploring, he loves,” she said. “We’ve traveled extensively. He draws and takes some of his ideas from our travels. Recently, he’s been drawing five or six different pieces that are specifically related to our travels.”
“It’s very colorful,” said Elaine of the work, “and the beauty of it stands out.”
For more information about the “Out There: The Worlds of Edward Woltemate, Jr.” gallery, contact Rodgers at [email protected].
The Montco Cultural Center at Montgomery County Community College is more than a venue — it encompasses interrelated creative spaces where ideas, artistry, and community converge. Spanning both the Blue Bell and Pottstown campuses, the Montco Cultural Center includes fine art galleries and intimate theaters to showcase the arts in unique and innovative ways.
At the heart of the Montco Cultural Center is its state-of-the-art main theater located at the Blue Bell Campus, a 561-seat, technologically advanced performing arts space. Designed by Spillman-Farmer Architects and equipped with industry-leading acoustic, audio, rigging, lighting, and video systems by the internationally renowned Walters-Storyk Design Group, the theater delivers a one-of-a-kind immersive experience for both audiences and performers.
Whether you’re attending a musical concert, art exhibit, dance performance, comedy skit, community lecture, or a student-led production, the Montco Cultural Center offers enriching opportunities for engagement and inspiration for everyone.
Learn more at MCCC. With campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown, MCCC offers flexible, high-quality education with diverse programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and strong career pathways to help students achieve their academic and professional goals.
